The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-06
DEATH OF MR.. w. G. DEPAUW
An Honorable and Useful Career Ter
minated by a Stroke of Apoplexy.
Public Sorrow at New Albany and Greencas-
tle-The Dead Mans Enormous Business
Interests in Indiana and Other States.

F6uW, the wealthy glass manufacturer Oh new
Albany. Ind. who was stricken with apoplexy
in this city, last night. died to-day at Las. Mr.
DePauw and his son, n T. DePauw, manager
of the DePauw American plate glass works. at
New Albany, Ind, were guests of the Palmer
House Yesterday. and intended to remain in the
city to-day Mr. DePauw has been travelling
extensively of late, but his trip here on
business Parties concerned in the business
were out of town, and Mr. DePauw determined
to return home to New Albany last night. After
dining, he and his left the Palmer House.
and were driven to the Polk -street station short
u after o'clock, and entered Pullman on
the train on the Louisville New Albany & Chi
cago road. While seated in their section await
ing the departure of the train, Mr.. DePauw
grew suddenly nervous exclaiming to his son:
"I'm dizzy What does this meant n T. De-
PAW was alarmed. but said the attack would
pass away. Dir. DePauw answered: "Oh, no;
this is something serious" His son then arose
and lifted the window of the car, out of which
his father leaned. The veins in his face and
forehead swelled and seemed ready to burst
This condition followed by extreme palor,
articulation became more difficult, and he
became unconscious DIR. Atkins speedily
called from his residence. No. 367 Wabash ave-
nue.. Under his direction stretcher was i'm
provised, and on this four men carried the
stricken man back to the Palmer House, whore
he died as stated above.
There a touching incident at the depot
great crowd gathered about, happens at
the occurrence of anything out of the ordinary.
An old colored the outer edge of the
crowd heard the sick man was from New Albany.
and he forced his way through. When he saw
Mr. DePauw he fell on his knees at the side of
.;ts,. 49, n
grief. The old man had for sixteen years been
in the employ of Mr.. DePauw, whose service he
but recently quit to come to Chicago.
Washington Charles DePauw born at Sa-
lem, Washington county. Indiana. Jan. f. 1922
AS the name indicates, he is a descendant from
a noble French family. his grandfather, Corne-
Illus, having been private reader to Prince Fred
erick III, of Prussia, and author of several works
of note Charles, the grandfather, joined his
fortunes with Lafayette in the American cause
and served throughout the war. subsequently
he married Virginian and moved with the first
tide of emigration to the bluegrass region of
Kentucky. In that State Gen. John DePauw,
father of W. C. DePauw, born On arriv-
ing at mans estate he moved to Washington coun
ty, Indiana. A lawyer by profession, ne became
judge. and also general of militia No man
will of his fellow-men.
At the age of sixteen W. G. DePauw was
thrown upon his own resources by the death of
his father. He had only meager education,
but was industrious, and his energy and indus
try, allied with character and ability secured
him friends, and at the age Of nineteen he
entered the Office of the county clerk, and by his
faithfulness gained the confidence of those in
authority so that he soon had virtual control Of
the Office He was elected clerk of Washington
county, without opposition. when he ,obtainef
his majority. To this Office subsequently
Joined that of auditor, and Mr. DePauw filled
both positions until close application and the
consequent severe mental strain impaired his
health and, after several prostrations and the
fear of apoplexy. he gave up sedentary pursuits.
But his extraordinary memory, quick but
accurate judgment, ana clear mental faculties
fitted him for successful career in almost
any vocation of life. His first investment
in a saw and grist-mill. With this business he
combined farming. merchandising and banking,
at the same time investing largely in the grain
trade. He fortunate in each investment,
anu his means rapidly increased, until. the
breaking out of the war, he had large mercan-
tile interest and well established bank. He
was at the time of the largest grain
dealers in Indiana, and his knowledge of the
trade and command of means rendered him able
to materially assist in furnishing the govern
ment with supplies. He also invested largely in
government securities. and at the close of the
war had augmented his already large fortune
MIR. DePauw has used his wealth literally to
encourage manufactures and to build up the
city of New Albany. He has made many i'm
provements, aud is largely interested in the
rolling mills and iron-foundries of that city He
is also proprietor of DePauws American Plate
glass works. He has fully an aggregate of
50. 600, 900 invested in manufacturing enterprises
in New Albany.
Mr. DePauw had taken but small part in po-
ltical affairs for many years, having devoted his
time to his home interests and to the advance
ment of education and to religion. He was often
forced to decline positions which his party
ready to give him. and in 1872 he assured
by many prominent Democrats that the noinina-
ton for Governor was at his disposal In the
convention ne was nominated for Lieutenant
governor. but declined. stating that he had
found full work endeavoring to promote the
ligous, benevolent and educational interests of
Indiana and in helping to extend those advan-
tages to the South and West. Hence he had
neither time nor inclination for politics. But
Sin those chosen fields of labor" he said, 81 find
congenial spirits whom love and understand
My long experience gives me hope that may
accomplish something, perhaps much, for
leion and humanity" In 1880, Mr.. DePauw
gave il his adherence to the Republican party
on account of its policy of protection to Ameri-
can industry, and it is presumed. although he
never demonstrative in his politics, that
he voted the Republican ticket ever since.
Mr.. DePauw was for many years, a trustee of
the State University at Bloomington, and his
connection with Asbury, now DePauw Uni
versity, is we'll known. He was a member of
the Methodist Church and has repeatedly served
as delegate of the church to the General Con-
ference He was a worthy and highly respected
member of both the Masonic and Odd fellows
orders.
Public Sorrow New Albany.
Special to the indianapolis Journal
New ALBANY, Ind, May 5.-The death of
Hon. Washington {. DePauw, which occurred at
Chicago at Has A. NJ. has caused the most sim
cere and profound grief in this city. More than
this, it is regarded a great calamity to New
Albany. 1t is only truth to say that 5Ir. De-
PAW had, by his many grand qualities.
twined himself about the hearts of our people to